Bronchiectasis

By: Martin Camaya

Bronchiectasis
• Bronchiectasis is when the walls of your bronchi, the tubes that
carry air into and out of your lungs, become thickened and
damaged.
• This makes it harder to breathe. You could have flare-ups of
extreme breathing trouble (your doctor will call them exacerbations)
from time to time.
• Bronchiectasis is a chronic disease that gets worse over time. It’s not
curable, but you can live with it for a long time. There’ll be times
when breathing is pretty easy and times with exacerbations, when
catching your breath can be a chore.
Bronchiectasis Symptoms
Coughing and shortness of breath are common symptoms of bronchiectasis.
Others include:
• Coughing up phlegm

• Chills or night sweats

• Coughing up blood

• Fatigue

• Wheezing or a whistling sound when you breathe

Bronchiectasis Causes

Any lung injury can cause Bronchiectasis, one is related to having

Cystic Fibrosis (CF), and is known as CF Bronchiectasis. CF is a genetic
condition that causes an abnormal production of mucus.

Your bronchial walls gradually get thicker because

of inflammation and infections that keep coming back. Both of these
things prevent mucus from draining like it should. That extra mucus
can trap bacteria, causing more infections, scarring, and thickening.
This makes your lungs struggle to work over time
Medications for Bronchiectasis
• Antibiotics (oral, intravenous or nebulised) can be used in three situations:
To attempt eradication of new airway isolates
To treat exacerbations
As a long term maintenance for suppression of chronic colinisation

Some medicines like:

Azithromycin, and Erythromycin.
Medications for Bronchiectasis
Duration of treatment

The optimal duration of treatment is not clear. Positive clinical trials

have treated for 6 or 12 months. The maximum benefit of macrolide
treatment is thought be attained after at least 3 months of treatment.
Therefore treatment durations of between 3 and 12 month  could be
considered and some patients may require longer term treatment.